Army chief lauds Regev, Goldwasser families

Relatives of fallen soldiers are 'bearing their pain in an admirable way," Chief of Staff Ashkenazi says after pay respects to families

Ahiya Raved|Published: 07.18.08 , 19:29

Admirable families: IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi visited the Regev and Goldwasser families Friday to offer his condolences. Following his visits, the army chief said the IDF is now looking forward to secure the release of Gilad Shalit, Ron Arad, and all other Israeli captives and MIAs.

After leaving the Regev home, Ashkenazi said he arrived in order to "comfort a noble family." He then continued to the home of Karnit Goldwasser's family in Nahariya, where he embraced family members at length and then spoke to them privately.

The families of the fallen soldiers are "bearing their pain in an admirable way," Ashkenazi said after leaving the Goldwasser home. He added that he will keep in touch with the families in the future.

"We have a feeling of closure after we returned the boys…yet on the other hand the pain is great," Ashkenazi said. "Udi and Eldad will continue to be our soldiers, and their families are now part of the IDF's bereaved family."